Gracie stood beside the podium, her husband at the helm, his voice deep and proud as he addressed the gathered crowd in the main dining hall of the Texas Cattleman’s Club. “Let me start out by saying my wife, Gracie Diaz Wingate, has accomplished so much in her life, and no one deserves this honor more than she does. She’s a dynamo, and frankly, this Wingate has trouble keeping pace with her. As you all know, she’s incredibly smart. Well, she married me, didn’t she?”
The small crowd, including his mother, Ava, and Lauren, Sutton, Beth and Cam, all chuckled at his little joke. The others in their family were off on their own adventures and couldn’t be there today.
“She’s also a wonderful mother to our beautiful infant son, Mateo.” Sebastian choked up and Gracie was one compliment away from tears spilling down her cheeks, as well. She had only to look down at the precious baby in her arms to realize how very fortunate she was. She had a loving husband, a baby she adored and a place in the Royal community now.
“But all personal feelings aside, Gracie Diaz Wingate is a capable businesswoman, restaurateur and horse breeder. She loves each enterprise equally, and has recently opened a new office in the downtown area, where she plans on starting up an events business. I know she’s thrilled to be the newest inductee to the Texas Cattleman’s Club. So, with that said, I invite my beautiful wife to say a few words before we let the president do the honors.”
Gracie handed the baby over to Sebastian, the transfer seamless. They’d been sharing baby duties ever since the little one took his first breath, and loving every second of it. Gracie’s mother and brother had been here for the birth and had helped out for weeks while she and Sebastian got the hang of parenting and schedules and sleepless nights.
She stood in front of the podium now, looking into the eyes of her new family and so many other community members and friends. “I stand here before you, humbled and grateful for all the good things in my life. So many of my dreams have come true, two of them standing right beside me.” Gracie looked upon Sebastian and Mateo lovingly and then turned back to the small crowd. “But to be here among all of you as part of this club, as part of the Royal community, is an honor I hope to live up to. I hope to make a difference in our town. And I plan to play a very active role at TCC. Thank you all for being here today. It means a great deal to me.”
Then the president came up to say a few words. After his speech, Sebastian invited everyone in attendance to enjoy their dinner and music afterward. It had been his idea to celebrate Gracie’s induction with a party for family and friends. Gracie loved him now more than ever. He’d proven himself to be the man she’d always hoped he was. The man she’d fantasized and loved for many years.
And now with Wingate Enterprises back on solid ground, Sebastian had only good things to look forward to. She sat beside him at a table, while dinner was being served. Piped-in music flowed throughout the room, and pastries would be served later. She got the feeling Beth had something to do with planning this party in her honor. As a sigh escaped her lips, Sebastian peered at her.
“What is it, sweetheart? Everything okay?”
She nodded and gazed at the two men in her life. “Yes, I’m great.” She whispered quietly, “Just a little tired. I can’t wait to go home with the two of you.”
She lived on the beautiful sprawling land of the Wingate Estate now, in the home she’d decorated with the slightest of touches to make it their own.
“Of course,” he whispered back. “It’s been a long day.”
“I love being with you and Mateo at our home. Maybe he will even sleep tonight.”
“If not, it’s my turn to rock him. Even though I think he prefers his mommy’s arms. Can’t say I blame him. I kinda like them, too.” Sebastian kissed the side of her neck, his warm breath making every cell in her body come alive. Her husband was such a deliberate temptation, and she loved that about him.
She knew in her heart that the day she and Sebastian fell in love was the day of her true lottery win.
She couldn’t get much luckier than that.
Don’t miss the start of the next series set in
Royal—Texas Cattleman’s Club: Heir Apparent
Back in the Texan’s Bed by Naima Simone
Available February 2021!
When Charlotte Jarrett returns to Royal, Texas,
with a child, no one’s more surprised than her
ex-lover, oil heir Ross Edmond. Determined to
claim his son, he entices her to move in with him.
But can rekindled passion withstand the
obstacles tearing them apart?